Preseason projections on playoff teams in 3A, 4A and 5A were made by Colorado Preps and throughout the season, updated predictions will be presented on a weekly basis. We’ve looked back at week one results and made a few changes on our picks for which teams will enter the post-season.
Only eight teams will qualify for the playoffs in all three divisions and those clubs will be selected based on a formula that combines RPI with the coaches poll and rankings from Packard and MaxPreps. League champions are NOT guaranteed a berth in the bracket. Photo is provided by Lance Wendt.
CLASS 3A
Seven of our eight projected teams from the preseason remain in our playoff bracket following results from week one. The exception is Evergreen as the Cougars came up short to Palisade. Staying with our theme from the preseason where we expect the top two teams from each conference to advance; we replace Evergreen with Conifer. Conifer faces Green Mountain in a very important game this week as the Rams are also a challenger in that conference. In fact, the winner could end up second to Palisade at seasons end.
At least two other conferences see important games this week as Mead and Roosevelt collide in the Northern and Discovery Canyon battles Lutheran in the Colorado. In both cases, the clubs are likely to finish in the top three of their respective division so the winner has a better case for a playoff spot after this week.
Also keeping an eye on Pueblo South to make sure they can play enough games to qualify for a playoff berth. That number is four. The Colts of course had to cancel their highly anticipated trip to Durango due to positive COVID tests. If the Colts are fully quarantined, they may have to miss a week two contest as well. That would leave them with just four available weeks to play the four required games.
Our week one playoff selections for the division and they’re listed in alphabetical order:
- Conifer
- Discovery Canyon
- Durango
- Fort Morgan
- Holy Family
- Palisade
- Pueblo South
- Roosevelt
CLASS 4A
No changes from our preseason list of projections as seven of the eight teams on the list were winners in week one and the eighth club (Pine Creek) did not play. The Eagles had to cancel their game with Ralston Valley due to positive tests so the defending champs now join the list of teams that have to be concerned with getting enough games to qualify. Like Pueblo South (3A), if the Eagles are in a two-week quarantine, game two with Douglas County could also be in jeopardy.
Several teams not on our playoff list continue to push to be included as they posted impressive wins during the opening weekend. Montrose made a big statement by taking out Chatfield; Broomfield moved past Monarch and Brighton also downed Longmont. Pueblo West picked up a shutout win over Cheyenne Mountain and Fruita Monument rolled Wheat Ridge. Erie also made some noise as they opened their 4A run with a dominating win over Greeley West.
Despite all those wins, we keep the same eight teams on our playoff list and we offer them in alphabetical order.
- Dakota Ridge
- Loveland
- Palmer Ridge
- Pine Creek
- Skyline
- Ponderosa
- Fountain Fort Carson
- Windsor
CLASS 5A
Only one change was made from the post-season and it involves the wild affair between Eaglecrest and Cherokee Trail. The Raptors won that game so we put them into the top eight this week to replace the Cougars. Eaglecrest is the third team from the Centennial in our projections; joining Grandview and Cherry Creek. That makes the game this week between Eaglecrest and Grandview very important to the playoff chase. In our mind, the winner becomes a virtual lock to make the playoff bracket unless injuries take a major toll the rest of the way. Grandview is coming off a solid win over Arapahoe (38-7) last week.
Our list again omits Columbine. The Rebels were solid winners over Rock Canyon in week one but we still have them finishing behind Pomona and Ralston Valley in the Jeffco. Another team to watch could be Regis as the Raiders, despite the loss of several key transfers, were very impressive in blowing past Mountain Vista.
Our 5A selections after week one; listed in alphabetical order.
- Cherry Creek
- Eaglecrest
- Fairview
- Grandview
- Legend
- Pomona
- Ralston Valley
- Valor Christian
